Canadian Rockies & the West

Holidays to the Canadian Rockies are all about the great outdoors. You can discover some of the country’s most impressive beauty spots within Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Hike through alpine forests, paddle across Lake Louise in a canoe, and marvel at postcard-worthy Moraine Lake. As a Dark Sky Preserve, Jasper also boasts wonderful star-gazing. Want to get off the beaten track? Head to Waterton Lakes National Park instead – it’s tucked away in southern Alberta, near the US border.

Adrenaline junkies, meanwhile, will love Whistler. In winter, this town in British Columbia is a haven for skiers and snowboarders. Snowmobiling and snowshoeing are also on offer – but there’s plenty going on in summer, too. Whistler is famous for its downhill mountain-biking, zip-lining and white-water rafting. Or, for something more chilled-out, you can swim in one of the lakes or check out Whistler’s four world-class golf courses.

Wildlife-lovers will be in their element on a holiday to Western Canada. Both Alberta and British Columbia are home to all sorts of animals and birds. In the Rocky Mountains you’ll regularly see deer, elk, bighorn sheep and falcons, and you might be lucky enough to spot moose, coyotes and wolves. If you’re keen to see bears, make sure you visit Jasper National Park, where there’s a large population of both black bears and grizzlies.

Brushed by the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia offers fantastic whale-watching opportunities. You’ll find lots of boat trips available from Vancouver and Victoria, where you’ll be able to see wild orcas and humpback whales, as well as seals and sea otters. Plus, over on Vancouver Island’s west coast, Tofino is a hotspot for grey whales and humpbacks, as well as brown bears.

West Canada has some thriving cities, but Vancouver is the crowning jewel. A multicultural hub in British Columbia, this unique metropolis has it all. You can expect to find pretty beaches, sprawling parks, great markets and world-class restaurants, all surrounded by soaring mountains. Vancouver has a fascinating arts and culture scene, too, with museums and galleries where you can learn about Canada’s First Nations peoples. You can continue your history lesson over in Victoria, the provincial capital, with a tour of British Columbia’s impressive Parliament Buildings.

Alberta, meanwhile, is home to bustling Calgary and Edmonton. Often seen as the gateway to the Rockies, Calgary is Alberta’s biggest city – but its authentic charm remains intact. The 10-day Calgary Stampede in July sees all sorts of cowboy-themed events and competitions, and is the highlight of the year. Nearly 200 miles north, Alberta’s capital Edmonton is also worth a visit. You can browse the Art Gallery of Alberta and shop ‘til you drop in North America’s biggest mall.

Generally speaking, May to September is the best time for a holiday to the Canadian Rockies. You can expect comfortable temperatures between the high teens and mid-twenties, and mostly blue skies. The cities will be full of life, while the national parks’ snows will have melted to reveal glorious hiking trails. In particular, May and June are the best months for wildlife-watching, as you’re more likely to see whales and bear cubs.

But if snowsports are your thing, you’ll need to plan your West Canada trip for winter. December to March is the best time for skiing in Banff, Jasper and Whistler, and you’ll also be able to enjoy activities like dogsledding and ice-skating. It will be very cold in the mountains though – temperatures drop as low as -15°C – and Vancouver is usually extremely wet. So, unless you’re planning a ski holiday, winter is best avoided.